Jack & the Beanstalk 2018
The origins of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ are possibly German, where many folk tales of slaying giants are to be found. In British folklore there are tales of ‘Jack the Giant Killer’, a Cornishman who is said to have rid Wales of all giants.
The first Pantomime version of ‘Jack and the Bean-stalk’ was in 1819, which also marked the appearance of the first ever female ‘Principal Boy’, Eliza Povey, in the role of Jack. The hero, Jack is sent by his mother to sell their favourite, and only cow ‘Daisy’ but he is tricked out of his money, and returns home with a handful of beans. These beans, when thrown out of the window by the disgusted Dame, are in fact ‘Magic’ beans, and a giant beanstalk grows on stage. The scenic effects for Act Two are often the reason ‘Jack’ is not done as often as other pantomimes. Giant sized furniture has to be constructed, and the giant has to appear. The Pantomime ends with Jack, now in possession of the Giants treasure, chopping down the beanstalk, having slain the giant with his magic sword.
Cast & Crew
- Edina the Eco Fairy – Louise Brindle
- Fleshcreep – Paul Heyworth (Replaced by Paul Berentzen)
- JackTrot – Becky Berentzen
- Princess Demelza – Charlotte Richardson
- King Bertram – Rob Wyke
- Flunkit – Ian Murray
- Dame Madonna Trot – Russell Atkinson
- Simple Simon – Andrew Atkinson
- Daisy the Cow – Luana Bolster and Liam Reid
- Giant Blunderbore – Paul Berentzen (Replaced by Matt Watson)
- Chorus – Abbie Bagwell, Emily Bannon, Lilly Bolton, Neve Bolton, Anna Livingstone, Corey O’Hanlon, Isla Shuttler-Gray, Lewis Ronald, Harriet Stephen, Harriet Stopforth, Erin Sugden
- Mature Fairies Courtesy of Hoghton WI – Sylvia Atkinson, Carol Brindle, Anita Pugh, Pauline Fazackerley, Stephanie Murray, Marilyn Gibson
- Producer – Russell Atkinson
- Musical Director – David Whittingham
- Sound, Lighting and Special effects – Andrew Freeman, James Hindle, Harvey Hindle
- Choreographer – Jackie Hodges
- Stage Management and set change – Alison Vardy, Graham Brindle, Dave Smith, Steve Wignall, James Swallow, Matt Watson
- Wardrobe – Sheila Parman
- Set Design & build – Mick Tapper, Graham Brindle, Rachel Heys, Jane Eaton, Dave Smith, Trevor Jones, Nora Clay, Patricia Hall and many others
- Make up – Nora Clay, Carol Brindle, Wendy Wyke
- Props – Sylvia Atkinson, Sheila Heyworth
- Chaperones – Nora Clay, Clare Bolton, Sheila Parman, Wendy Wyke
